DMK’s MK Stalin and Kanimozhi courted arrest on Friday during protests in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka. A shutdown has been called in the state.

A large group of opposition leaders, including Ms Kanimozhi, DMK parliamentarian, joined a “rail roko” in Chennai and attempted to stop trains.

Private buses and autos are off the roads and schools, colleges and shops are closed. Even petrol pumps are closed for the shutdown called by farmers, trade and transport unions.

Earlier this week, violent protests were seen in Bengaluru after the Supreme Court announced an order that meant that Karnataka would have to give more Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu than it was asked to originally.

Tamil Nadu has demanded more water, saying its farmers will be plunged into crisis during sowing season.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to his Tamil Nadu counterpart Jayalalithaa asking her to protect Kannada people.

Karnataka has also posted extra security to avoid the kind of arson and vandalism that the state witnessed on Monday.